Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Guido Crosetto in New Delhi, urging Italy to avoid sharing sensitive defence technologies with Pakistan. India highlighted security concerns and emphasised the need for safeguarding strategic interests amid evolving regional dynamics. According to defence ministry sources, the Italian side assured that certain advanced technologies offered to India would remain exclusive and not be transferred to other nations. The discussions also focused on strengthening India-Italy defence cooperation, with an emphasis on trust, technology sharing frameworks, and long-term collaboration. The meeting underscores India’s efforts to secure strategic advantages while limiting potential risks from adversarial partnerships.

Rini Sampath, originally from Tamil Nadu, has become the first South Asian to qualify for the Washington, DC mayoral ballot, marking a historic milestone. Born in Theni, she moved to the United States at age seven and has lived in Washington, DC for over a decade. The 31-year-old government contractor secured ballot access after gathering over 4,500 signatures. Her campaign focuses on improving basic civic services, reducing living costs, and reforming governance. Sampath says her candidacy reflects growing South Asian representation and aims to inspire broader political participation. (PC: NDTV)

Rajnath Singh said India stopped Operation Sindoor on its own terms and was ready for a long war if needed. He spoke at a security summit while recalling the operation after the Pahalgam terror attack. He said, “We stopped it voluntarily… we were fully prepared for a long war.” He also said India did not fall for the “bluff” of a nuclear threat. Singh called Pakistan the “epicentre of international terrorism”. He said terrorism must be tackled at operational, ideological, and political levels. Operation Sindoor in 2025 targeted terror bases in Pakistan and PoJK. A ceasefire was agreed after four days of conflict. (PC: NDTV)

The United States has returned 657 stolen artefacts worth about $14 million to India after a long probe into smuggling networks. The handover was announced by Alvin L Bragg Jr in New York. He said, “The scale of the trafficking networks… is massive.” The items were linked to networks run by Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener. The artefacts were stolen from temples and sites, then sold abroad using fake records. Key items include a bronze Avalokiteshvara and a sandstone Buddha statue. Officials said more efforts are ongoing to recover and return stolen cultural objects. (PC: NDTV)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he may raise the issue of the Koh-i-Noor diamond with King Charles III during his visit to the city.   Speaking before a 9/11 memorial event, Mamdani said, “If I were to speak to the king separately… I’d probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.”   The diamond, kept in the Tower of London, has long been disputed. India has sought its return, citing colonial history. (PC: X)

The United Arab Emirates can increase oil exports to India after leaving OPEC. From May 1, it is no longer bound by output limits. Officials called it a “policy-driven evolution aligned with long-term market fundamentals”. The move allows higher production and more shipments through the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline. This route bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, a key global chokepoint. The pipeline can carry up to 1.5 million barrels per day. India, which imports most of its oil, may benefit from stable and quicker supplies. The UAE already provides about 9–10% of India’s crude needs. (PC: India Today)

Anant Ambani has offered to relocate hippos linked to Pablo Escobar to India. The animals are descendants of hippos Escobar kept in Colombia. After his death in 1993, they spread in the wild and multiplied. Reports say about 80 hippos could be moved to a private zoo run by the Ambani family. The proposal aims to help control the growing population. Authorities in Colombia have been exploring ways to manage the animals. The offer has brought attention to the unusual issue of Escobar’s hippos.

S. Jaishankar met Annalena Baerbock to discuss the escalating West Asia conflict and its global implications, particularly the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution under the United Nations framework. The disruption threatens global trade and energy supplies, with India heavily reliant on oil and gas shipments through the strait. Baerbock warned of rising oil and fertiliser prices and broader instability affecting regions like Gaza and Lebanon. The meeting also touched on UN reforms and the need for more representative global governance structures.

An Indian wedding procession transformed Fifth Avenue into a vibrant celebration, as couple Pankti Doshi and Dr Avish Jain led their baraat with live singing and dancing. The viral video shows the duo performing Bollywood songs while moving through one of New York City’s busiest streets, turning it into an open-air stage. Unlike traditional baraats, the couple themselves became the centre of the performance, adding a personal touch. The event required official permits and coordination with local authorities. While many praised the creativity and cultural display, others debated the scale and disruption caused in such a high-profile public space.

Salim Dola, a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, was deported from Turkey to India after his arrest in Istanbul, marking a significant step in tackling transnational drug networks. The 59-year-old, accused of running a global narcotics operation, arrived in Delhi on April 28 and is currently in custody for interrogation by central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau. Wanted under an Interpol Red Corner Notice, Dola allegedly fled India in 2018 and continued operations across West Asia and Europe. Officials believe his questioning could reveal crucial links within international drug syndicates and strengthen India’s efforts against organised crime.